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Which prime set to start with

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TheBeard614

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I am looking to get a 35mm and an 85mm for travel photography and events/portraits. I also do landscape/hiking shots but never go particularly wide but will add a 24 eventually.

The options I’m looking at are

Samyang 35mm f1.4 with the Sony 85mm 1.8

Samyang 35mm 2.8 with Zeiss Batis 85mm 1.8

Zeiss 35mm 2.8 with Sony 85mm 1.8

Has anyone had and used the lens options to compare? I am just a little concerned over quality control of the Samyang/rokinon from reviews of broken focus and aperture being stuck. The Samyang AF lineup seems to get good reviews over image quality. I’m not sure how picky I am about af speed but I can say that I purchased the Sony 50mm 1.8 and am returning it because I don’t like the autofocus speed and accuracy as well as 50mm is Justin meh focal distance for me. Thanks for opinions in advance.
 
The Zeiss 35mm 2.8 with Sony 85mm 1.8 would be my choice.

Or better still, consider the awesome Tamron FE 28-75mm f2.8

Den
 
I would choose Samyang 35f2.8 and Sony FE85f1.8.

Batis isn’t better than Sony’s other than OSS, but FE85 is damn good with what you are paying for.

There is another option, Sony 28mm f2 is a fine lens, it can replaced 35mm if you will get a 50/55mm in the future, so you can spread the FL a bit further.
 
Another vote for Samyang 35/2.8 and Sony 85/1.8

Compact and very capable setup.
 
Personally I picked up the Sony 85mm 1.8 right out the gate. There was to many solid reviews on it @ a $599 price point.

I am not sure if I will take it on a trip yet, but I felt more comfortable with the reviews vs the Samyang 35mm (which I might still buy before I leave)
 
TheBeard614 said:
I am looking to get a 35mm and an 85mm for travel photography and events/portraits. I also do landscape/hiking shots but never go particularly wide but will add a 24 eventually.

The options I’m looking at are

Samyang 35mm f1.4 with the Sony 85mm 1.8

Samyang 35mm 2.8 with Zeiss Batis 85mm 1.8

Zeiss 35mm 2.8 with Sony 85mm 1.8

Has anyone had and used the lens options to compare? I am just a little concerned over quality control of the Samyang/rokinon from reviews of broken focus and aperture being stuck. The Samyang AF lineup seems to get good reviews over image quality. I’m not sure how picky I am about af speed but I can say that I purchased the Sony 50mm 1.8 and am returning it because I don’t like the autofocus speed and accuracy as well as 50mm is Justin meh focal distance for me. Thanks for opinions in advance.
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My Vote from that list is the Samyang AF 35mm 1.4 and Sony 85mm 1.8. You will see a lot more difference from the 35mm 1.4 vs 2.8 compared to the Batis vs Sony 85mm 1.8
 
I hope you enjoy the new lenses! I'm also planning to get those as my first purchases after the A7 kit - the FE35 2.8 ZA first and then the FE 85 1.8.

My only prime has been a 50 mm (or equivalent) since around 2010. I made up my mind a few years ago to try 35 + 85 when I get an A7, and now I'm getting there. I hope it'll be fun!
 
TheBeard614 said:
I am looking to get a 35mm and an 85mm for travel photography and events/portraits. I also do landscape/hiking shots but never go particularly wide but will add a 24 eventually.

The options I’m looking at are

Samyang 35mm f1.4 with the Sony 85mm 1.8

Samyang 35mm 2.8 with Zeiss Batis 85mm 1.8

Zeiss 35mm 2.8 with Sony 85mm 1.8

Has anyone had and used the lens options to compare? I am just a little concerned over quality control of the Samyang/rokinon from reviews of broken focus and aperture being stuck. The Samyang AF lineup seems to get good reviews over image quality. I’m not sure how picky I am about af speed but I can say that I purchased the Sony 50mm 1.8 and am returning it because I don’t like the autofocus speed and accuracy as well as 50mm is Justin meh focal distance for me. Thanks for opinions in advance.
Click to expand...
Samyang 35mm f1.4 with the Sony 85mm 1.8 is the best combo optically. Only gripe is the size of Samyang 35/1.4. But there will be room for Samyang 24/2.8 in the future if you want ultra compact/travel setup
 
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